South Dakota

Rounds says around 500 people in South Dakota have reached out over DOGE cuts

Published

1 year ago

April 17, 2025

Rounds says around 500 people in South Dakota have reached out over DOGE cuts

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Senator Mike Rounds says his office has been looking into recent DOGE cuts in the state and in some cases working to reverse the cuts.

Rounds said Monday about 500 people in South Dakota have reached out about federal program cuts. The senator says he’s following up on each case independently, going directly to cabinet members and finding out if the cuts should be reinstated. Rounds says he’s had success in getting a number of cuts reversed.

“As we find something that was broken, we go back in, and we say, ‘look, are you aware that this particular office is closed? An FSA office, perhaps, or are you aware that you’ve shut down an office for one of our tribes and it’s the only office that you’ve got for that tribe., And in those cases, they’ve come back and say ‘oh no, we don’t realize that, that’s probably something that we need to address,’” explained Rounds.

Rounds also pointed to National Institute of Health websites that were reinstated after nurses reached out to his office. Overall, Rounds expressed support for the goal behind DOGE and cutting the size of the federal government, but the senator said he wants to make sure mistakes aren’t made along the way.

The senator was asked what his message to President Trump would be so that mistakes would not be made to begin with.

“He made it pretty clear himself, that he wanted DOGE to take a more surgical approach. We’re hoping that they’ve heeded his recommendation and his advice,” said Rounds.

Dan Ahlers, executive director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, criticized the cuts, saying the cuts have been disorganized and are not surgical.

“You can try and undo some of these cuts, but it’s not flipping a light switch. You just can’t shut it off and turn it back on. For those people that they just let go, are you going to want to come back to a job that you don’t know you have any security?” explained Ahlers.

Ahlers says he wants to see South Dakota’s federal delegation meet with all South Dakotans.

“You’re talking to people that might support you or won’t cause you any problems or won’t question what’s happening. You can sing all you want to the choir, but we really need to be listening to all South Dakotans. We really need to be focused on those people that have been impacted by these cuts,” said Ahlers.

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South Dakota

Human trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event

Published

49 minutes ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

Human trafficking survivor advocate to speak at Rapid City church event

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – A Rapid City church is hosting a free community event Thursday to raise awareness about human trafficking, with organizers saying the danger may be closer than people think.

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at Bethlehem Lutheran Church is opening the presentation to the entire community because organizers say awareness alone can save a life.

“If we can get 20 people to understand what to look for — if we can get 20 people to understand that this organization exists — then we can start shining light into every corner, and suddenly it’ll be a better world,” said Alexandra Loverink, co-president of LWML Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Event details

The free presentation is Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Rushmore Street. The speaker is Reverend Tess Franzen, founder of Freedom’s Journey, a Rapid City-based ministry that has assisted hundreds of trafficking survivors over more than a decade.

Franzen said the problem in South Dakota is far more widespread than most people realize.

“We see mostly sex trafficking, but much of what we see is — some people might call it homegrown or familial,” Franzen said. “We see trafficking here where young people are being trafficked out, their family members are selling access to them when they’re children. And in many cases, they don’t really even realize there’s anything wrong with it.”

Organizer Cari Garwood-Beard said Franzen’s presentation changed how she sees her own neighborhood, and she wants others to have that same wake-up call.

“She told a story about her neighbor one time — just a good old guy — and found out that he was a trafficker. Her neighbor, who she thought was above boards,” Garwood-Beard said. “And it really hit home. My next-door neighbor could be.”

A freewill offering will be collected for Freedom’s Journey at Thursday’s event. Bethlehem Lutheran Church is at 1630 Rushmore Street.

Resources

If you suspect trafficking, dial 9-1-1 or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

For more information about Freedom’s Journey, visit their website or call 805.380.8009.

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South Dakota

SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for May 8, 2026

Published

13 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Press Room

The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing

37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 8 drawing

14-16-21-43-51, Bonus: 03

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.

When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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